Warner’s blitzkrieg against Proteas can fetch him central contract

Sydney, Jan 13 (IANS) Australia’s new find David Warner could be the first Twenty20 specialist to be handed a central contract by Cricket Australia (CA) in April.After Warner’s incredible debut in the first Twenty20 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), where he blasted 89 from 43 balls, CA general manager of operations, Michael Brown, admitted that a Twenty20 specialist may be given a top-25 contract when the next round is announced.

And if ever there were a worthy candidate, it is Warner.

Warner will not play in the first two one-dayers against South Africa because a 13-man squad has already been selected, although Australian captain Ricky Ponting said the NSW rookie would be difficult to keep out of the remainder of the series if he played a similar innings tonight.

Warner said he had plenty more to offer than just searing strokeplay.

“The ultimate goal as a kid, you want that baggy green. I’ve got to get the baggy blue (of New South Wales) first, and hopefully that comes soon. Then I can show what I can actually do instead of being pigeon-holed as a Twenty20 player,” he was quoted as saying in Sydney Morning Herald.

The Australian selectors, under fire following the Test series losses to India and South Africa, will review their squad after Sunday’s second limited-overs clash in Hobart, and Warner’s hopes may rest on the form of Australia’s new opening pair.

Shaun Marsh has one opening spot all but locked down after an impressive debut series against the West Indies in June. But with Matthew Hayden announcing his retirement and Shane Watson, who partnered Marsh in the Caribbean, injured, James Hopes and Brad Haddin seem the likely candidates to join him.

“My hopes aren’t too high,” Warner said. “I was over the moon to get the call for these next two Twenty20s. That’s just an amazing experience for myself.”

Warner recently signed an IPL contract with Delhi Daredevils worth up to $300,000 a year.